Interactive educational games (Padlet Arcade)

Padlet Arcade is an AI-powered platform that creates primarily asynchronous interactive educational games from provided content. Content formats include learning objectives, topic overviews, success criteria, files (e.g. PDF, document or other file type) or links (e.g. YouTube video or website URL).

Why use Padlet Arcade?

Not only can you create your own, but Padlet Arcade has a range of pre-created games that cover many topics and are suitable for various age groups. Games can be shared via link, QR code or embedded into your Brightspace subject site the same way as a Padlet and they can also be incorporated into Padlet Walls.

Interactive game types include:

  • Crossword
  • Fill in the blank
  • Flash cards
  • Matching
  • Memory Tiles
  • Multiple Choice
  • Sequencing
  • Short answer
  • Sorting
  • Word search

Example Use Cases

Whilst Padlet Arcade has a range of game types, you can only implement one type per game (e.g. only multiple choice, not two multiple choice questions, a sorting, a matching and a fill in the blanks in the one game). In addition, Padlet Arcade provides limited analytics. The Leaderboard tab provides Player Name, Score, Time and Attempts for individual games.

With these considerations, Padlet Arcade supports a range of evidence-informed learning and teaching approaches and can be incorporated throughout a subject to reinforce learning, check understanding and increase student engagement.

Padlet Arcade can be used to:

  • Reinforce learning through retrieval practice following readings, lectures, tutorials or other learning activities.
  • Support pre-class preparation, flipped learning and diagnostic assessment.
  • Promote long-term retention through spaced retrieval and exam revision activities.
  • Build disciplinary vocabulary and understanding of key concepts.
  • Conduct formative assessment through low-stakes concept checks during teaching sessions.
  • Identify misconceptions and knowledge gaps to inform teaching and provide timely feedback.
  • Support knowledge application through scenario-based activities and decision-making tasks.
  • Develop conceptual, procedural, chronological, sequencing and classification skills.
  • Increase student engagement through self-paced, interactive and gamified learning experiences.

It's important to remember copyright when using Padlet.

How To Use Padlet Arcade

Part A: Navigation and Using Pre-made Games

  1. Navigate to Padlet Arcade using the following link: https://arcade.padlet.com/
  1. Click ‘Log in’ in the top right-hand corner. Sign in with your CSU credentials.  
    Screenshot of top right-hand menu. Red box highlights 'Log in' button.
  1. Select appropriate options from the drop downs or search bar to locate a relevant pre-made game.

    2. Screenshot of search drop-downs and search bar on home screen.

  1. Click on the relevant game.

    2. Screenshot of resulting games from search on home page. Red box highlights selected game.

  1. Click ‘Create a copy’ in the bottom right-hand corner.

    Screenshot of bottom of bottom of info window. Red box highlights the 'Create a copy' button.

  1. Click ‘Edit’ in the top right-hand corner to change the game as appropriate. (Follow Part B step 7 for more information).

    Screenshot of top right-hand menu. Red box highlights 'Edit' button.

  2. To Share or Embed, follow steps in Part C.

Part B: Creating a Game

  1. Click ‘Create’ in the top right-hand corner OR either of the three options:
    1. Enter a Topic
    2. Upload a File
    3. Add a Link

Screenshot of create options on Padlet Arcade home screen.

  1. Complete the ‘Describe your game’ page:
    1. Select ‘Higher ed’ from the drop-down.
    2. Describe the topic or content and what you want the game to include.
    3. Optional: Upload a file or add a link (follow prompt).

Screenshot of 'Describe your game' screen. Red boxes and arrows show process of describing your game.

  1. Click ‘Next’ on the right-hand side or press Enter.

    2. Screenshot of orange 'Next' button on top right-hand side of screen.

  2. Select a game type or click ‘Surprise me’ (black border and white text means selected).

    3. Screenshot of Game types screen.

  1. Click ‘Next’.

    Screenshot of orange 'Next' button on top right-hand side of screen.

  1. Determine the game you wish to create then click:
    1. Edit: To edit the title, description and/or game type. Then click ‘Build’.
    2. Screenshot of 'Edit game' window. Red boxes and arrows show the process of editing game details.Build: To create the game.

Screenshot of part of 'Game ideas' screen. Red box highlights the 'Build' button.

  1. Work through ‘Edit game’ window then click ‘Save’. Here you can edit:
    1. Content tab:
      1. Title
      2. Instructions
      3. Questions (including adding images or audio, deleting and/or adding questions)
    2. Chat tab:
      1. Discuss with AI Chat to make changes
    3. Settings:
      1. Leaderboard visibility
      2. Attempts
      3. Live activity

      4. Screenshot of top menu in 'Edit game' window. Red boxes and arrow highlight the three edit tabs and save button.

NOTE:

  • ‘Save’ button will appear after you make an edit e.g. remove a question
  • To return to the ‘Edit game’ window, click ‘Edit’ in the top right-hand corner.

    • Screenshot of top right-hand menu. Red box highlights 'Edit' button.

Part C: Sharing a Game (Embed Code Example)

  1. Navigate to game you wish to share.
  1. Click ‘Share’ in the top right-hand corner.

    2. Screenshot of top right-hand menu. Red box highlights 'Share' button.

  1. Select and copy the appropriate share method:
    1. Copy link
    2. QR code
    3. Embed codeA screenshot of the top menu of 'Share' window.
  2. Open Brightspace and your subject site from https://learn.csu.edu.au/d2l/home
  1. Open the content page you wish to embed the Padlet on in edit mode and place cursor where you wish to embed.

    2. A screenshot of Brightspace content page in edit mode.

  1. Click ‘Insert Stuff’.

    2. Screenshot of Brightspace content page edit mode menu bar. Red box highlights the 'Insert Stuff' icon (play, pause, record, stop symbols).

  1. Scroll and click ‘Enter Embed Code’.

    2. A screenshot of 'Insert Stuff' menu. Red box highlights 'Enter Embed Code' option.

  1. Paste embed code and click ‘Next’.

    Screenshot of 'Enter Embed Code' pop-out window. Red box highlights the 'Next' button in bottom left corner.

  2. Click ‘Insert’.

    3. Screenshot of Enter Embed Code window. Red box highlights 'Insert' button.

  1. Click ‘Save and Close’.

    2. Screenshot of Brightspace content window in edit mode. Red box highlights 'Save and Close' button.

NOTE: To use link or QR code, simply copy and paste in Brightspace content page or PowerPoint.

New accounts

To register for a new account or transfer your free account , please log a Cherwell request.

Support with...

Design and application

For support designing and application of Padlet in your teaching, log a DLT service request.

Access

Request access via DIT

Bugs and technical issues

System owner: DIT